Its Raining in Makkah

At the moment while posting this news its raining heavily in Makkah with heavy clouds and thunderstorm. 80% Hajis at present are in Mina tents. Tonight, we will be going to Arafaat. But, our collegues are anxious as the tents might have been wet by now and might have collapsed due to water. How they will sit or lye down on the wet ground?

Anyway, it will be a double mercy for the Hajis. Here is the video clip of the rains from our hotel room.

Mehfil-e-Qur'an in Masjidul Haraam

In the Holy City of Makkah, on the second floor of Masjidul Haraam, opp. Hijre Ismail a programme was held on the recitation of holy Qur'an. Here the top and best Qaarees of Iran gathered and presented their art of recitation of the Book of Allah. Many had been brought to recite Qur'an in Haramayn Shareefayn. About 70 Qarees are given opportunities to perform Hajj every year and show their talent to the International Muslim Community.

This holy Qur'an recitation programme is conducted from 1st - 7th Zilhijjah. Once a Haji attended this programme he remained till the finish. The photo is of the same session.

Interior of Masjidun Nabawi in Madina

Offices of Ayatullah Ezam

In Madina there are the offices of various Ayatullahs for their muqalledeens for their guidance to the Hajj rituals. The to be haajis visit these offices and seek the guidance from the representatives of the Ayatullahs for the upcoming Hajj masaels. These offices operate in Madina before hajj and shift to Makkah during the Hajj period. The photos show banners of the offices of Hazrat Ayatullahil Uzma Hazrat Makarim Shirazi and Hazrat Ayatullahil Uzma Hazrat Abdul Karim Musawi Ardbeli.

The photograph shows the interior of the office of Hazrat Ayatullahil Uzma Hazrat Makarim Shirazi. Here Hujjatul Islam Aqa-e-Farshad delivered a beautiful speech on "Hajj & Intezar", putting good points on Imam Zaman (a.s.).

I had a lengthy discussion on a mas'alah from Ayatullah Makarim about the Najasat of mushrikeen. It is being propogated that Ayatullah Makarim has permitted to intake najis food through them. The representative denied this and said there are conditions for this. He also said that we will discuss this in detail in Makkah. I will post the detail after Hajj. InshaAllah.

More Restrictions on Zaireen

More restrictions are tightened for the Zaireen of Baqee irrespective of their sect. The Barelvis are under watch this year. The Shias cannot recite ziyarat from the books, they are asked to shut their ziarat booklets. The zaireen hide themselves in crowd and recite ziarat. Sometimes the alloted One hour to visit Baqee is shortened by 30 minutes and the entrance is closed. Now the Mutawwas (religious police) mingle among the zaireen and try to prove the crowed that what they are doing is Shirk. They qoute sentences randomly from the ziarat . They do not listen to the answers and provoke the zaireen to become emotional and lose their temper.

On the way to Hajj

I have this opportunity to perform Hajj. Inshallah I will try to share the news from the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Pray for success.

You can see the green dome of the Rawdha of the Holy Prophet during night time. Beside it on the left is the white or silver dome under which was the house of second Imam, Imam Hasan (a.s.)